In many cases, the first step in helping individuals with developmental disabilities who are demonstrating problem behaviors is to perform a complete physical and psychiatric examination to rule out physical and psychiatric causes. Gedye36 compiled a guide to diagnosing the medical and psychiatric causes of many problematic behaviors in these individuals. Many other assessment instruments also are available for helping to diagnose psychiatric problems in children and adults with developmental disabilities.37–40

In addition to treating physical and psychiatric conditions that may be triggering or contributing to problem behaviors, some nonmedical therapies are available:

Behavior therapy
Skill acquisition
Environmental modification

Adapted from: Sudhalter V. Problem behaviors in individuals with developmental disabilities. In: Devinsky O and Westbrook LE, eds. Epilepsy and Developmental Disabilities. Boston: Butterworth-Heinemann; 2001;165–174.
With permission from Elsevier (www.elsevier.com).
Reviewed and revised May 2004 by Steven C. Schachter, MD, epilepsy.com Editorial Board.